Carbo Grabbers

The typical American diet is dominated by refined carbohydrates such as breads, cereal, pastas, and today’s assortment of “breakfast bars.” Unfortunately, such a diet wreaks havoc on blood glucose (sugar) and insulin levels within the body. In order to compensate for the rapid boost in glucose levels caused by the digestion of refined carbohydrates, the pancreas secretes large amounts of insulin, which transports glucose into cells to be burned for energy (primarily muscle cells) or stored as glycogen (in the liver) or fat (in adipose cells). Over time, the continual elevation of insulin levels to combat spiking glucose levels can cause the cells to become resistant to insulin—insulin resistance is the most common cause of Type 2 diabetes. It is estimated that between 25-35% of the population in Westernized countries exhibit a degree of insulin resistance.1-3

Fortunately, numerous studies have shown that a reduction in dietary carbohydrates is associated with weight loss and retention of lean muscle mass, as well as improved blood glucose and insulin sensitivity. However, many Americans have difficulty eliminating carbohydrates from their diet, despite the health consequences.3

In light of this dilemma, Nature’s Sunshine has introduced Carbo Grabbers, a dietary supplement designed to help reduce the negative effects of carbohydrate intake by blocking carbohydrate digestion. Carbo Grabbers employs an extract from the white kidney bean, which inhibits amylase (a starch-digesting enzyme) activity, thereby reducing the digestion and subsequent absorption of dietary starches.4-7

Amylase enzymes are responsible for breaking down carbohydrates. On the other hand, amylase inhibitors block this digestive process, thereby altering the absorption of dietary carbohydrates—more of the ingested carbohydrates are eliminated through the bowel instead of being absorbed from the small intestine into the bloodstream to be converted into glycogen (stored sugar) or fat.4,8

In addition, research shows that amylase inhibitors reduce the early postprandial (after-meal) rise in plasma glucose (blood sugar), as well as markedly decrease postprandial release of insulin, thus eliminating the late postprandial glucose fall to below fasting levels. In other words, amylase inhibitors help normalize after-meal glucose and insulin function when consuming dietary starches. Consequently, amylase inhibition has been identified as being of interest in the treatment of diabetes.7-9

In light of the discovery of an amylase inhibitor in Phaseolus vulgaris, it is interesting to note that this same bean is known to have been used since ancient times in the treatment of diabetes to reduce blood glucose levels, as well as to stimulate urine flow and the flushing of toxins from the body. In fact, Phaseolus vulgaris is approved by the German Commission E for infections of the urinary tract, and for kidney and bladder stones. In addition, Phaseolus vulgaris exhibits ratios greater than 150:1 potassium to sodium (particularly in decotion form). High potassium levels relative to sodium are a feature of herbal medicines with traditional diuretic activity.10-12

Furthermore, native American populations were known to very rarely suffer from diabetes mellitus until they began to eat a “Western” diet. The indigenous diets of these peoples contained many plant foods that naturally served as insulin analogues—substitutes for insulin that naturally helped control blood sugar levels—including Phaseolus vulgaris.13